It is mind-blowing to think how much He loves and protects us. Yet, this same Father was willing to sacrifice His only Begotten to make this living, amazing relationship with us possible.

“You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me.” (Psalm 139:5, ESV)

During my years as a single mom, this verse held me. More than that, it held me together.

I repeated it out loud and often whenever I felt overwhelmed and alone. My girls would sometimes echo it from the backseat of our old, run-down minivan, their tiny voices bringing both a smile and a few tears to me.

There were days when circumstances hit us that I knew were beyond my means or abilities. I recall one morning receiving an unanticipated bill that I had no way of ever paying. Placing the invoice back into the envelope, I held it up and repeated the verse, the young girls—totally unaware of what the envelope contained—chiming in on the last line. A visit to the mailbox the next day brought an unexpected check that covered not only the entire amount owing from the day before, but just enough for us to enjoy a little treat together to celebrate ‘His hand upon us’.

Years later, I was watching my son-in-law stoop cautiously behind our grandson as he was learning to walk, and realized I was witnessing this verse come to life. A father’s protective stance...following behind a child, arms wrapping around to the front with one hand firmly holding the child’s tiny fingers for support; the other at the ready to scoop and rescue if necessary.

I remembered how I clung to that verse, how it was an ever-present help in my time of need, and I knew that my Father had followed so close behind—and before—me during those lonely years. And thankfully He still does.

Mind blowing to think how much He loves and protects us...yet this same Father was willing to sacrifice His only Begotten to make this living, amazing relationship with us possible.

Unmerited Grace, Unfathomable Love.